Insider profil

Picture of Paul F

Paul F.

Director of Data and Analytics

Ask me a question
Early Careers
Technology and Data

Keen to receive questions about

Career DevelopmentEveryday LifeOpen RolesOur CulturePeople & DiversityRoleWhy usWork & Life with Us

Top Insider Advice

My career experience causes me to provide the following advice, which is relevant for opportunities here at First Central: • Build credibility by doing what you say you will • Team spirit trumps all • Seek to understand and don’t judge a book by its cover • Give people space; micro-management is a killer • Be relentless in seeking to understand yourself • Coaching and mentoring are transformational and are amazing gifts you can give to others • Take risks and be brave • Be human, be vulnerable, show emotion to make yourself accessible

Read more advice

Career path

Director of Data and Analytics

First Central Insurance and Technology Group

Started 08/2021 to Present

Company

What do you like about your job and the company?

First Central has data front and centre in its business strategy on a page; it’s boldly declared in our definition of who we are, our purpose, and our mission which is an incredible opportunity for a data leader and their team. So, the ambition we have at First Central for data management and for creating value from it combined with a truly exceptional collaborative culture is an highly motivating environment to be in. One of the reasons I joined the business was that I wanted to work in an organisation that had a similar, ‘family-type’ feel as my previous company but one that had a more entrepreneurial, fast-paced edge to it. I have certainly found that here. Finally, because we chose to create our own insurance platform and adopted cloud technology early, the opportunities for generating rich event data and then embedding analytical models into customers’ journeys are huge. Again, this is a highly motivating element of the data ambitions of our business.

Greatest achievements

Having a modest academic achievement record and working inside a large organisation for most of my career had created an inherent feeling of imposter syndrome that caused me to doubt my own abilities and knowledge. Given the above, being invited to present at the flagship Data and Analytics event in the UK run by Gartner was a major sense of pride for me, particularly as it was on the topic of the innovative use of data harnessing leading edge approaches and technologies. Presenting to a room of a few thousand people was a huge step outside my comfort zone which gave me renewed confidence in my own abilities and convinced me the work I was leading was at the forefront of our industry.

Video

Other insiders

Lauren C

Culture Lead

Top Insider Advice

I’m a natural introvert and I don’t think anyone in my personal life would describe me as outgoing or confident! But, I’ve found in my career so far that the occasions where I’ve been brave - whether that’s deciding to move away from HR (even though I studied a Masters in the topic!) or saying yes to presenting in front of a crowd of senior leaders - have been the times where I’ve grown and developed the most. I’m at a point in my career where I’m eager to grow and progress, so being brave is something I try to make a conscious effort to do. It can be scary to say yes to things you might usually shy away from but, by getting more practice and exposure to these things, over time they naturally begin to feel a bit easier. Even if things don’t always go to plan, it’s all part of the journey.

Kerry D

Head of Home Underwriting

Top Insider Advice

Be open to change and grab opportunities that come your way to help you grow and develop yourself. Always have a growth mindset and don’t close down opportunities because you’re afraid that you can’t meet the challenge. Pushing yourself outside your usual skill set will help increase your confidence and show you what you’re capable of.

Joe M

Leadership Development Business Partner

Top Insider Advice

My advice would be to grow and develop with the business and don’t box yourself in with one particular career route in mind as other career paths can open up.

Discussions with Paul F
Tell me about the most rewarding part of your job?
in Career Tips·Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Picture of Jacob
Picture of Luke
3 responses
145 views
What does growth and development look like here?
in Career progression·Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Picture of Luke
Picture of Kerry
3 responses
154 views
Describe the opportunities to learn from more senior employees?
in Career Tips·Tuesday, May 30, 2023
1 response
23 views
What is your relationship like with your colleagues and team?
in Career Tips·Tuesday, August 1, 2023
1 response
11 views
How do you keep motivated in your career?
in Career progression·Tuesday, September 5, 2023
1 response
12 views